According to Xinhua, the letter said Daimler had no intention of questioning Beijings sovereignty over Tibet and would offer "no support, assistance, aid or help to anyone who intentionally subverts or attempts to subvert Chinas sovereignty and territorial integrity".

"Daimler deeply regrets the hurt and grief that its negligent and insensitive mistake has caused to the Chinese people. Daimler fully and unreservedly recognises the seriousness of the situation, which the company has caused and sincerely apologises for," the letter apparently read.

The companys first apology was welcomed by Chinas foreign ministry but dismissed by the Peoples Daily official newspaper, which said it "lacks sincerity and reflects the German carmakers lack of understanding of Chinese culture and values".

It is not the first instance of frantic corporate backtracking after causing offence in one of the worlds largest consumer markets.

Earlier this year, China shut down the Chinese websites of Marriott International for a week, after the firm listed Tibet and others as separate countries in a Chinese-language questionnaire to customers.

The problem was compounded when Twitter users noticed that the hotel chains official Twitter account had "liked" a post by Friends of Tibet - a group that supports Tibetan independence.

Marriott went on to begin dismissal proceedings against the employee responsible.

China has for centuries claimed sovereignty over Tibet and sent in troops to enforce its rule in 1950. The Dalai Lama fled after a failed uprising in 1959 and is now in exile in India.